This is one of a set of six prints telling the story of Harriet Heedless, a county girl who arrives in town looking for a position as a servant, only to be duped into becoming a 'kept woman' and later descending into prostitution and poverty. This set, published in 1780, is based on an earlier set by William Hogarth entitled 'The Harlot's Progress' (1732) and shows how his influence on printmaking remained strong fifty years on.

Physical description

Interior of a workhouse with a group of people standing and sitting, including a man filling a tankard with drink, an old woman smoking a pipe, a woman breast-feeding a baby, a woman handing a glass to another, and a small child eating using a window seat as a table. On the wall is a sign stating the rules of the workhouse. Various plain utensils, jugs, tea-pot and mixing bowls lie round about and on the mantle.

Harriet sits in a chair wrapped in a blanket and looking feeble. Next to her are a nurse and doctor, the doctor handing a bottle to the nurse. In the background ragged clothes are hung up to dry and to the right a large open fire.

Place of Origin

London (printed)

Date

1780 (published)

Artist/maker

Unknown
Carington Bowles (printer)

Materials and Techniques

Etching and engraving

Marks and inscriptions

Harriet tained with Disease, goes into a Workhouse, where the Doctor attended by his Footboy, brings her a Daught, / the Nurse describes her illness, and the other Figures are curiously employed.
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Printed for & Sold by Carington Bowles, at his Map & Print Warehouse, No. 69 in St Pauls Church Yard, London. Published as the Act directs, 15 May 1780
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